Hurricane Season 2010: Low Pressure Area 1 (Northwest Pacific Ocean)

Low Pressure Area in the South China Sea Has Signs of Development in NASA Imagery

NASA's Aqua satellite passed over a developing low pressure area in the South China Sea today and infrared imagery showed that it has some strong thunderstorms within. That's an indication that the storm may develop into a tropical cyclone.

A low pressure area located about 345 miles east-southeast of Hue, Vietnam near 13.5 North and 112.7 East. The Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC) noted on Nov. 12 that it has a good chance of developing into a tropical cyclone in the next day or two.

NASA's Aqua satellite passed over the low on Nov. 12 at 05:29 UTC (12:29 a.m. EST) and infrared data from the Atmospheric Infrared Sounder (AIRS) instrument showed some strong thunderstorms and strong convection were occurring throughout the low level circulation center. Some of the cloud tops were so high, that the cloud temperatures were as cold as or colder than -63 Fahrenheit.

Sea level pressure in the area of the low is near 1005 millibars, according to ship reports. Maximum sustained surface winds are currently estimated between 18 to 23 knots (21-26 mph). System 90W is moving east-southeast at 5 mph.

Forecasters at the JWTC will be closely monitoring the low for development through the weekend.

Text Credit: Rob Gutro

NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, MD